You are now working with Canon Sam McVeigh in the Christ Church parish. What is the story behind that?
I am studying at Theological Institute in Dublin and as part of the training you do regular placements in parishes, to get experience of parish life and helping out with services. I live in Belfast but my mother lives in Coleraine and I am doing my placement here. I am doing two full weeks and then I am helping out with some services over the summer months.

Do you get involved in all aspects of parish life?
Yes, just whatever comes up. There are some things you cannot do but I will be doing parish and hospitals visits, the pastoral side of it. That's the bit I really like, getting out and meeting people.

How did you come to realise the church was for you?
On a basic level you feel the call to full time ministry and I think I felt that about four or five years ago. I was helping out in my parish on Sundays and people kept saying to me that I should go into full time ministry. At that time I thought I was not that type of person but so many people said to me that I thought maybe there is something in this. I had a chat with my rector and agreed to start the whole process.
There is a process of discernment we here you try to work out if it really is God's call and whether the Church will confirm and ratify that call. I then did a preliminary course to explore my spiritual gifts and a two part selection process before getting into college.

Why did you come to Limavady for your placement?
I have a number of connections linking me to Limavady. My father, David Gibson, was a Sergeant in the police and his last posting was here in Limavady. He passed away two years ago.
Then I chose Limavady for a placement mainly because I have known Canon Sam McVeigh for many years. He has been a long time family friend and he was our next door neighbour when we lived in Dromore, Co Tyrone, so in some ways I have come full circle.
Sam used to try and encourage me when I first came out of University, to go into the church. I thought it kind of appropriate that when I was finally making the move that I should come and learn from him for a few months.

What was the path to your decision like?
I went to Omagh Academy and then to St Andrew's University in Scotland where I studied German and Biblical Studies. It is a lovely University, a beautiful setting, a traditional University. I was sad to leave it at the end and I made a lot of friends there.
I had no sense of a calling at that time. In fact I knew very definitely that it wasn't for me just then. I think a lot of what makes a person a good pastor is their life experience. I had my faith but I did not feel I was being called to full time ministry at all.

You have also had a career in the Civil Service?
I started in the Civil Service in England because at that time that's where the jobs were. I worked there for six and a half years. I was in the Social Security Agency, mostly in the finance and contracts side. I came back to Northern Ireland in 1995 and at the end I was an IT project manager. I lived in Belfast and still have a home there.

You had almost 20 years in the Civil Service. How did you decide to leave?
I just knew it was the right thing to do. I spoke to my rector about going into full-time ministry and when I came home that day it was like pieces of a jigsaw falling into place. It just seemed right. It was very scary giving up a secure job but it was to do something I wanted to be doing.

What experience have you has as a minister so far?
At the very beginning of my training I did 11 weeks placement at St John's, Malone. I was a bit apprehensive about it but they were a lovely, supportive parish. We do the placement so that it's not all theological study. So much of what clergy do on a day to day basis is just out there sharing in people's lives. It's not all about learning the Old Testament. In fact I enjoyed going out and into people's homes. That's what really makes me tick.

As a woman, how are you accepted as a minister?
There are a lot more women clergy out there now. People are getting used to the idea of women priests in the church. I do have to say that before I left my last job I got a fair bit of ribbing about the Vicar of Dibley and I still get that occasionally. I think the Vicar of Dibley did help the cause of female clergy, in a humorous way.

What have your first impressions been at Limavady?
I am really excited and I really enjoy it. I'm looking forward to doing the placement but I am also looking forward to the next year in college. I have met quite a few of the Christ Church congregation at morning service and then I had a role preaching at the evening healing service.

Were you nervous?
I am always nervous when I preach and I was like a wrung out rag afterwards. That's maybe as it should be and if I stop being like that maybe it would be time to give up.

What else makes you tick?
In the last year I have spent my whole time studying and on placements. To relax, the things I do are gardening and baking. I love being out in the garden, growing vegetables and things like that. Not quite the good life, just a few strawberries and tomatoes this year. I love getting out and about with dogs. I don't own a dog but I do 'dog sit' a bit. But I really love coffee. Sitting about with friends, drinking coffee, that I do enjoy..